Internal support and commitment is essential for the success of any CE process. This is especially important because anytime an organization interacts with the public, expectations may be created.

Before the CE process starts with external stakeholders, there needs to be clarity within the organization about the goal for the process, as well as any roles that board, management, staff members or volunteers might be expected to play. As well, there should be organizational commitment to listen to the information coming from the process, and to report back to the stakeholders regarding what was done with any information/ideas that may have come from them. Stakeholders do not necessarily expect that all of their ideas will be acted upon, but it is respectful to show how these have been considered.